"This is not a show, as you will see, that is about sex," said Sandy Grushow, chairman of the Fox Television Entertainment Group.

"This is a show that is exploring the dynamics of serious relationships." Still, Fox tested participants for sexually transmitted diseases, part of an effort by TV networks to be extra careful about the background of reality show participants.

Grushow, who now runs media advisory firm Phase 2 Media, said he’s been an admirer of Bernie Su and his breakthrough work in multiplatform storytelling and has known Tochterman for years.

“If this was traditional short-form content, I would have said ‘Thank you,’ and moved on,” Grushow said.

Among the singles brought on for temptation were a former Laker dancer, a former Playboy model, a former Miss Georgia USA, the founder of an online dating service and a massage therapist.

Two men didn't want their female partners to date the masseur.

Religious leaders and family groups have condemned the show as 'trash' and say it endeavours to prise couples apart.Grushow is the former chairman of the Fox Television Entertainment Group; Rierson is the former COO of Fremantle Media North America and Shine America; and Tortorici is the former president of CBS Entertainment and ex-CEO of Group M Entertainment.The company said as advisers they will be identifying new projects and potential business relationships.Four young, unmarried couples test the depth of their commitment by separately spending time on a steamy island paradise off the coast of Belize.There they date members of a 26-strong team of scantily-clad hunks and babes.

Yet Sandy Grushow, chairman of the Fox Television Entertainment Group which is broadcasting the show, insists: 'This is not a show that is about sex.